A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco at 11:11PM on Friday 8 September, causing catastrophic damage and over 2,000 deaths. The earthquake was the strongest to strike the region in over a century. The epicentre was in the High Atlas mountain range 72 kilometres from Marrakech with tremors extending to Casablanca and southern Spain. King Mohammed VI has announced three days of national mourning.
There has been an outpouring of international support with countries not only sending messages of condolences but humanitarian aid and relief.
I extend my deepest condolences to my brother King Mohammed VI and the people of Morocco over the devastating earthquake that struck the country. We in the UAE stand with the Kingdom of Morocco during this difficult time and wish a speedy recovery ahead to all those affected.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has dispatched rescue teams and urgent aid to support reduce missions on-the-ground in Morocco. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, is working together with Emirates Red Crescent to initiate a relief programme that provides life-saving supplies and essentials, creating an air bridge for humanitarian aid.
Other GCC countries contributing to relief efforts are Saudi Arabia, which is operating an air bridge under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, the latter of which is extending the Not Alone Oman MHFA helpline to assist with the mental health-related trauma following the earthquake.
Internationally, the United Kingdom and Spain have dispatched search-and-rescue teams while the United States of America, Turkey and France have also contributed.
